Hey All, I have just came across this Forum and it looks great. Its good to see people giving up the addiction and supporting others in their efforts

I have been 5 months Smoke Free this year, smoked all 2009, stopped smoking all 2008 and was smoking for about 12 years before that.

I just wanted to express how hard I feel it is to get away from smokers and avoid smelling second hand smoke in London.

People stand outside the entrances to the tubes smoking, walking down the streets smoking, outside the bars or shops, outside your own office, in the parks...and so on...

I even have to smell it at work because my desk is 3 metres away from the office smoking balcony where the smoke comes through the door. My colleague that sits opposite me smokes and I get to smell a charming wiff of smoke as he comes back to sit down.

How has other people coped with this problem and controlled themselves to not think about smoking when it faces you everywhere you go in London?

4 Replies

In regards to the smelling secondhand smoke, i have just kind of brainwashed myself into HATING ciggies/smoking etc. So instead of the smell of secondhand smoke making me fancy a ciggie, i just think how lucky i am not to have that horrible demon of addiction hanging over me!

To be honest, i dont try to forget about smoking. I accept that it was a huge part of my life for many years. I guess what has changed about my thinking , is that i no longer think of WANTING to smoke, i think about how HORRIBLE is it to smoke, to have an addiction etc.

I spoke with some friends about this last night and they agree with you entirely.

I am happy that I dont smoke and the only thoughts I have about smoking is hatred and disgust but sometimes its hard to hate the cigarettes only and not the smoker. If I know the smoker then I can deal with it but the people in the street who you have no influence over and send their smoke in your direction is just plain annoying. I still have problems that when I smell cigaretes it reminds of smoking which is a stage I have not completely got over yet. However, I hope in time that I can get it out of my head.

Hey All, I have just came across this Forum and it looks great. Its good to see people giving up the addiction and supporting others in their efforts

I have been 5 months Smoke Free this year, smoked all 2009, stopped smoking all 2008 and was smoking for about 12 years before that.

I just wanted to express how hard I feel it is to get away from smokers and avoid smelling second hand smoke in London.

People stand outside the entrances to the tubes smoking, walking down the streets smoking, outside the bars or shops, outside your own office, in the parks...and so on...

I even have to smell it at work because my desk is 3 metres away from the office smoking balcony where the smoke comes through the door. My colleague that sits opposite me smokes and I get to smell a charming wiff of smoke as he comes back to sit down.

How has other people coped with this problem and controlled themselves to not think about smoking when it faces you everywhere you go in London?

Hello and welcome to our large self help family, and you are right to say that there are many people here who are ready to help others to give up the fags.

By reading the past and present comments here it tends to help new quiters, and it is great to read other peoples experiences. I experienced a similar problem to you when I stopped smoking, as the smoking area at my place of work was directly outside my office, and as the Manager I sat and watched people smoking and the smoke would drift into my office if the window was left open and this was never a problem while I smoked.After I stopped I did not want people thinking that I had turned into a "anti smoking campaigner" so I left the situation as it was. After 3 months of me stopping smoking (CT) I got to the point that I could not stand the smell of cigarettes from other peoples breath, but these smells never made me want to smoke I just found the smell revolting. As the Manager I thought if another non smoking member of staff complained about the fag smoke I would be responsible for resolving this problem, so I moved the smoking area and all my staff now say that because the boss quit smoking ! the smoking area was moved! but I don't care as I would have to do this for a member of staff who found fags smoke was anoying them. However I am nearly 9 months quit and the fag smells don't bother me and certainly don't make me think of smoking again, as I have grown to dislike the smell so much, which surprised me as I smoked for 35 years. However welcolme to our wee family so keep reading and talking to your new freinds.

It’s not easy to let go of something that’s been such an integral part of your life for so long. Just thinking about it can stop you in your tracks. But that’s exactly what’s needed. Stop for a moment and think about why smoking is in your life. What purpose does it serve?...That can help you in quitting.

The bolded part is the main thing that's keeping me going in my quit. All a cig does is temporarily relieve the withdrawal and set the conditions for the next craving. That's not including the health aspects (which I'm sure we're all very aware of), the stinkiness of it (Be honest. It smells rank!!), the messiness (dirty ashtrays, fag-ends in the street), the inconvenience of having to go outside in all weathers, and last but by no means least the sheer cost of all these 'benefits'.

No!!!! I've had enough of being a slave to tobacco. You control me no longer!! (Now in my 7th day smoke-free :))